Hammer type staplers



July 28, 1959 l.. J. RUBIN HAMMER TYPE sTAPLERs 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 27, 1957 July 28,' 1959 l.. J. RuBlN HAMMER TYPE STAPLERS Film1-8b. 27. 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 28, 1959 J. RUBIN HAMMER TYPE STAPLERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 y Filed Feb. 27, 1957 Q m w8 l 'vx los 1.01. "Los INVENTOR.

July 28, 1959 v L. J. RUBxN- 2,896,210

HAMMER TYPE STAPLERS Filed Feb. 27, 1957 Sheets-sheet 4 Il ub s; En quk i I mmh.

Azev# L. J. RUBIN HAMMER TYPE STAPLERS July 28, 1959 Filed Feb. 27. 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 EN* @new a IN V EN TOR. fu/s d. @J5/,y

United States Patent A HAMIWER TYPE STAPLERS Lewis J. Rubin, Plainview, N.Y., assignor to Arrow Fastener Co., Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York yApplication February 27, 1957, Serial No. 642,817

11 Claims. (Cl. 1-49) This invention relates to hammer type Staplers.

One object of this invention is to provide a stapler of the character described having improved means to prevent the staple rod from coming entirely out of the stapler housing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stapler l'of the character described which can be loaded from thetop so that the bad staples can be easily removed. A further object of this invention is to provide an .improved stapler comprising a latch attached to the staple rod and provided with means for locking a top cover in Vplace on a stapler housing.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide in va stapler of the character described, .a top cover which .has a guide adapted to move into place when the cover .is closing to Contact the tops of the staples on the staple guide, to hold the staples down.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in a stapler of the character described a non-clogging, liioatving driver which has projections touching surfaces of the stapler head to space the driver from said surfaces so that tar or dirt will not clog or seize the driver. A .stapler so constructed does not require lubrication which, -when dried, acts as adhesive for dust particles which is likely to freeze the parts.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a highly improved stapler which is so constructed as to minimizev cleaning `difficulty without taking the parts apart.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in .a stapler of the character described a driver having a `curved .front lower end surface which will prevent the 4driver from cutting or marring the articles stapled.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in ,a stapling machine of the character described, a highly improved lever system comprising two simple parts i11- cluding a main part which has mass directed over the .stapler driving knife or plunger. In accordance with the present invention the lever parts may be blanked from sheet metal, making it simpler to manufacture and whereby close tolerances are not required, the construction being such that the machine may be easily assembled and operated with a minimum of friction.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a stapling apparatus of the character described, a staple driving plunger or knife which hangs on one of the levers of the lever system for driving the staples.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a stapler of the character described in which all of the operating mechanism for driving the stapler is in the head, allowing an elongated straight handle, and whereby the handle may be held at the front or the rear as ,the releasing` action.

ICC

of the stapler and permitting making the machine rugged and strong.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the character described, a handle cover which is hinged at its rear end to the handle and is provided with a pressure plate to hold the staples down when the cover is closed, and a pusher rod having means to hold the cover closed when the` pusher rod is latched to the handle. With such construction the staples have no opportunity of climbing or jumping over one another. A further advantage of this construction is that the pusher rod and pusher rod spring operate independently of the handle cover.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a stapler of the character described in which the latch on the pusher rod has a latch spring so Aarranged that if the rear lower end of the handle is stuck accidentally, the latch will not be released, the construction being such, furthermore, that the releasing button on the latch must be pressed upwardly from the bottom of the handle, such button being surrounded by parts of the handle so as to prevent accidental release of the latch. The push button, furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, is on the latch mechanism, instead of on the frame, the advantage being that when the button is pressed to release the latch and the pusher rod, the pusher rod is controlled because it is in the operators hand during if the releasing button were on the machine casing, then a person would be able to push the button without holding the pusher rod, which could then cause the pusher rod to shoot out of the machine and hurt someone.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stapler of the character described which can be loaded from the top very quickly yand conveniently. This factor is very important for industrial use where loading time is very important. `The pressure plate attached to the top cover is adapted to move in to place when the cover is closed before the spring pressure of the pusher rod assembly is locked; thereby preventing the staples from climbing over each other.

Still another object of this invention is vto provide va strong, rugged and durable stapling machine of the character described, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, which shall be smooth in operation, which shall comprise relatively few and simple parts, and which shall yet be practical and efficient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the appended claims.

accompanying the same,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a hammer type stapler embodying the invention, with parts broken away and in cross-section;

'Fig 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fi l;

iig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fi l; l

l(lyig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal partial view through the head of the stapling machine; p

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the staplerwith parts broken away and in cross-section;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Pig. 7 isa view similar to Fig. 4 and showing the parts when a stapler has been driven; K

pose hereinafter appearing.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 7, but not through the rivet; I

Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view through the rear end of the handle and through the latch for the pusher rod;

Fig. 1l is a cross-sectional view taken on line 11-11 of Fig. A10;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 1Y0;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional View taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the pusher -rod latch illustrating a somewhat modified construction;

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 15-15 of Fig. 7; g g

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 16-16 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional -view taken on line 17--17 of Fig. 7;

Fig'. 18 is a side elevational view of one of the side plates; and' Fig. 19 is a partial top viewA of the stapling machine.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 10 designates a hammer type -stapling machine embodying the invention. Said machine 10 comprises a casing 11. Said casing 11 comprises a pair of similar symmetrically disposed parallel spaced side walls or plates 12. Each side Wall 12 has a bottom edge 13 extending the length thereof. Extending upwardly from the front end of the bottom edge 13 at right angles thereto, is a front edge 14. EX- tending rearwardly from the upper end of the front edge 14 at right angles thereto, is a top edge 15 parallel to the bottom edge 13. The top edge 15 of each plate 12 merges with a downwardly and rearwardly curved edge 16, from which extends a downwardly and rearwardly sharply inclined 'edge 17 terminating at point 18.

The side walls 12 are formed with downwardly and rearwardly inclined flanges 19 extending toward one another and formed with meeting edges 19a. The flanges 19 are less inclined to the horizontal than are edges 17 and have short horizontal extensions 29 at their lower edge. Beyond the flanges 19, 20, the side walls 12 have horizontal edges 21 and notches 22. Beyond the notches '22 the said side walls are formed again with flanges 23. Said flanges 23 are horizontal and have contacting meeting edges 24 along the center line of the stapler, as shown in Fig. 3 of the-drawing. Beyond the flanges 23, side walls 12 have upper horizontal edges 25 at the level of -the notches 22. The edges 25 are beveled downwardly at their rear ends as at 26. Said side walls have vertical rear edges 27 asrshown in Figs. 13 and 18. Said side walls are formed with lhorizontal elongated inwardly curved IbeadsV 30, for the purpose hereinafter appearing. Said beads 30 are spaced above the lower edges 13 and are Vparallel thereto. The said beads extend to the rear edges 27 and terminate somewhat rearwardly of the points 18. v Y

It will now be understood that the side Walls 12 have generally rear narrow handle portions 31, gradually inclined intermediate portions 32, and front raised head Vportions 33.

located adjacent the `bevelededge 26 (see Fig. 18). Said side walls are alsorformed in the head portions 33 thereof, above the points A1S and substantially equally 'spaced from edges 14, 15 and` 17, with openings 36, for the pur- Said side vwalls fl12 are, furthermore, formed- ,somewhat below theV points 18, with openings 37. Said sidewalls Vare lfurther Vformed Vwith openings 38 located below and to the left oftheopen-4 ings 37, looking at Figs. 7 and 18. Said side walls 12 are also formed with openings 40 'spaced from and substantially at the level of the openings 37, but at the right thereof, as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 18 of the drawing. The side walls 12 are, furthermore, formed forwardly of the openings 38 with aligned horizontal slots 41 each having a wider lower portion 42, from the center of which extends upward a narrower portion 43. Said side walls 12 are, furthermore, formed at the front edges thereof with rearwardly and shallowly recessed vertical edge portions 14a terminating short of the upper and lower ends of said front edge, forming lower shoulders 14b and up- `per shoulders 14e. Said side walls 12 are also formed with vertical slots 45 located between 'beads 30 and anges 19 and to the right of openings 46.

The plates 12 are held in spaced relation by a sleeve 50 (Figs. 8 and 15) having reduced ends 51 received in openings 36. Said sleeve is formed with annular shoulders 52 contacting the inner surfaces of said plates 12 to keep them apart. Said plates are furthermore interconnected by a rivet 53 (Fig. 11) passing through the openings 34. Said plates 12 are also held in spaced parallel relation by a rivet 54 (Fig. 16) passing through the openings 37 and sleeve 55 surrounding the rivet and interposed Ibetween said plates.

Interposed between the side plates 12 is a staple magazine y57 comprising a magazine frame 58 and a magazine staple guide or channel 59 fixed together and attached to the plates 12 in the manner hereinafter explained. The magazine frame 58 comprises a bottom wall 61, the lower face of which is in the plane of the lower `edges 13 of side walls 12. Extending upwardly from the bottom wall 61 at right angles thereto, are Aparallel side ywalls 62 contacting the inner surfaces of Athe beads 30. r-Ihe rear edges 62a of the side walls 62 are lin `the -plane of the Irear edges 27 of plates 12. Said side walls 62 have front edges 62b located in the plane of 'the'front edges 14 of the side plates, and extending 'from an intermediate portion of the front edge 62b are 'forwardly extending tongues 62e, for the purpose here- `inafter appearing. The ybottom wall 61 has a front edge '61a located rearwardly of the front edge 62b. The side walls 62 are Vformed with notches 62d in the lower edges thereof extending forwardly and rearwardly of the front edge 61a and thereabove.

`Said bottom wall is formed with a plurality of spaced openings 61b (Fig. 1) for the purpose hereinafter appearing. One of the side walls 62 is formed forwardly of the rear ,edge thereof with an opening 63 for the purpose Lhereinafter appearing (see Fig. 3). The bottom wall 61, furthermore, has a rear edge 61e terminating short of the rear edges 62a of the side walls 62. 'Ihe side walls 62 are formed with notches 70 extending to opposite side of said edge 61e and thereabove (Fig. 1).

Said magazine side walls are formed at their upper ends Vwith front inwardly extending horizontal flanges'71. The inner edges of said flanges are spaced from one another. Said flanges have front edges 72 spaced rearwardly of 'the front edges 62b by substantially the width necessary 'to allow a staple to be driven, as will appear hereinafter. VSaid'ilanges 71 have rear edges 73 spaced somewhat rearwardly of the anges 20 (Fig. V1.). Y

Extending inwardly .from the rearward upper ends of the side walls 62 are horizontal flanges 75, the inner edges .of which are also spaced apart. The flanges 75 are in `theplane of theanges 71 and have forward edges 76 V(F`ig.`1). Said vflanges 75 have rear edges 77 terminating rshortof the rearedges 62a of the side wall 62. The front flangesj'71 have extensions 70a spaced rearwardly of the front ends thereof and contacting one another, thus bridglingth'e space between said anges. Said side Ywalls 62 lare formed at their rear ends with upwardly extending outwardly offset or bent ears con- 'ntactingrthe/inner surfaces of the side plates 12 and formed jwith openings `81 registering with the openings 34. The -rivet Srpassesthroughthe openings 81 as well as through the operu'ngs #34.

The staple guide or 'channel 59 has a bottom wan ss spaced above the bottom wall 61 of the magazine frame 58, and Side walls 84 extending upwardly therefrom and spaced inwardly from the side walls 62. The upper edges 85 of the side walls 84 are spaced below the anges 71 and 75. The bottom wall 83 is formed with a plurality 'of downwardly recessed bosses 87 contacting the upper surfaces of the bottom wall 61 and formed with openings 88 registering with the openings 61b and receiving therethrough rivets 89 for lixing the staple guide 59 to the magazine frame 53. The bottom wall 83 has a front edge 83a disposed rearwardly of the front edge 61a of the bottom wall 61 of the magazine frame. The side Walls 84 of the staple guide have front edges 84a registering with the front edges 72 of the flanges 71. Said staple guide has at its front ends downward extensions 84b forming lower edges 84C in the plane of the undersurfaces of said bottom wall 61.

The side walls 84 are cut away at their rear ends as shown in Fig. 10, Vforming notches 90, rearwardly of which are extending hook projections 91 formed with upwardly and forwardly extending inclined edges 92 for the purpose hereinafter appearing. Said bottom wall 83 terminates with a rear edge 93 disposed forwardly of the rear end of the side walls 84, as. illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawing. Y i It will now be understood that the staple strips will rest on the upper edges 85 ofthe staple guide 59. The crowns of the staples will be disposed between edges 85 and the anges 71 and 75. The legs of the staples will be disposed between the side walls 84 of the staple guide 59 and the side walls 62 of the magazine frame 58.

' The magazine may be loaded with staples from the top. It will be observed that the stapler casing istopen at the top between the flanges 20 and 23. The top open part of the casing may be closed by a cover 100. Said cover 100 comprises side anges 101 straddling the side plates 12 and interconnected by a top wall 102. The top wall 102 has a top horizontal portion 103 from which extends upwardlyV and forwardly an inclined portion 104 disposed over the inclined anges 19, The rear end of the top wall is stepped down as at 105 (see Fig. 1).

' The side flanges 101 are interconnected by a rear flange 106. Said side flanges extend forwardly beyond the forward end of the wall portion 104, forming ears 107 provided with openings registering with the openings 40 in the plates 12. A rivet 110 passes through the openings 40 in the side pilates 12 and through the openings in the ears 107 registering therewith, thereby hinging the lcover to the casing. The rear wall 106 of the-cover is located substantially at the rear edges of the side walls 12. The downwardly stepped wall 105 may be located .-:just above the edges 25 of said side Walls and rearwardly .fof the flanges 23, as illustrated in Fig. l of the drawing. llt will now be understood that when the cover is down, the top of the casing is closed and when the cover is swung upwardly, the casing is uncovered for the purpose of.y loading or cleaning. -Y

Means is provided on the cover forv holding `down the staple strip when the cover is closed. To this end there is attached to the underside of the cover, av pressure plate 111. The pressure plate 111 is of channel shaped crosssection, and has a top wall 112 riveted to the top wall 102, as by rivets 113. Extending downwardly from the top wall 112 are llanges 114. The ends of the flanges 114 contact the tops of flanges 71, 75. However, between said flanges 71, 7S the flanges 114 extend further down, forming Vhorizontal Vedges 115 located in the plane of the undersides of said flanges 71, 75. Thus, the edges 115 serve to take the place of the-flanges 71, 75 and hold the staple strip S down on the upper edges 85 of the staple guide 59 thereby-preventing the staples from climbing on;` one another, or from jumping outof place. Y

lMechanismis provided for pushingrthe staple strip S and@ holding down the'cover 100: To this endthere is provided a member (see Figs. 1, l0 to 13), coni-1 prising a vertical wall 121 from the upper end of which extends forwardly a tongue or llange 122 having a turned up lip 123 at its forward end. The tongue 122 is adapted to engage the upper surface of the stepped down top wall portion 105 to hold the cover 100 in closed position, as illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawing. Extending forwardly from the sides of rear wall 121 are side tongues 124 provided with outwardly flaring lips 125 at their forward ends. vThe tongues 124 are adapted to frictionally and Slidably engage the outer surfaces of the side plates 12, as illustrated in Fig. 13.

Extending forwardly from the lower end of wall 121 is horizontal wall adapted to Slidably engage the under-v side of the bottom wall 61 of the staple magazine frame. Extending upwardly from the bottom wall 130 and eut from said wall are a pair of parallel, symmetrically disposed apertured ears 127 supporting a hinge pin 128 which extends outwardly beyond the ears. Said bottom wall 130 is formed adjacent the wall 121 with openings 131. Said bottom wall 130 is furthermore formed with a downwardly bent lug 132 cut from the material of the bottom wall and disposed forwardly ofthe openings 131.

Pivotally mounted on the portions of the pin 128 which extend beyond the ears 127 is a latch 135. Said latch 135 comprises a bottom Wall 136 located in spaced relation below bottom wall 130 of the member 120.r Said bottom wall 130 is formed with a central downwardly recessed portion 137 located directly below the lug132. Extending upwardly from the sides of wall 136 are a pair of parallel vertical hook members 137a passing upwardly through the openings 131, and formed with bearing openings pivotally receiving the portions of the pin 128 which extend outwardly beyond the ears 127. The side walls 137a project forwardly at their upper ends as at 138. It will be noted that the walls 137a are in the plane of the side walls 84 of the staple guide. At the forward ends of portions 138 are hooks 139 engaging the inclined edges 92 of the side -walls 84 of the staple guide.

Interposed between walls 130 and 136 is. a coil compression spring 140. The lower end of the spring is received within the recessed portion 137. The upper end of the spring receives the central lug 132. It Iwill new be understood that the springs 140 retain the hooks 139 in engagement with the edges 92. It will be further noted that the front end of bottom Wall 136 is rounded at 136a (see Fig. 14). By pushing upwardly against the bottom wall 136 hooks 139 may be disengaged from edges 92 to release member 120. i

The rear Wall 121 of member 120 is formed with a central opening 121a. Fixed to said rear 'wall 120 is an elongated horizontal pusher rod 141. Said pusher rod has a rivet at its rear end passing through said opening 121:1. The pusher rod 141 passes through the staple guide 59 and is located below the upper edges 85. YSaid pusher rod extends substantially through the length of the staple magazine. y

In Fig. 14 there is shown a modified form of member 120. In Fig. 14 the modied form of member 120 is designated by numeral 120a. Member 120a comprises a rear Iwall 121a from which extends forwardly a top flange 122:1 and side flanges 124a and a bottom wall 130a. EX- tending forwardly from the rear wall 121a are lugs 12711 carrying a transversey pin 128a. Punched downwardly from the bottom wall 130a is a tongue 132a. It will be observed that member 12041 is similar to 120 except that the tongues 122e and 124a do not have outwardly turned lips such as the lips 123 and 125 of memberr120. Furthermore the lugs 127a extend forwardly from the back wall 121:1 instead of extending upwardly from the bottom wally Slidably mounted on the staple guide 59 is a pusherV member 150. Said member comprises atop -wall 151 7 resting on the upper edges 85 of side walls 84. Extending downwardly from the sides of top wall 151 are side walls 152.received between the walls 84 and 62. Extending inwardly from the lower ends of the side walls 152 are anges 153 disposed between the bottom walls 83 and 61.

Fixed to the underside of member 150 is a. channel shaped member 155 comprising a top wall 156 riveted as by rivets 157 to the top wall 151. Extending downwardly from the ends of top wall 156 are anges 158 formed with openings 159 slidably receiving pusher rod 141. Received on the pusher rod and interposed between member 155 and wall 121 is a coil compression spring 160.

It will now be noted that member 120 must be held in the hand of the operator while the bottom wall 136 is pushed up to release the pusher. The pusher will thus remain in the hands of the operator and can not shoot out of the stapler under iniluence of spring 160. When the pusher is released the cover may be raised and when the cover is closed and the pusher snapped back into place, the cover will be held in closed position. Means is provided to prevent the pusher from becoming entirely separated from the stapler housing. To this end there is mounted within opening 63 a headed pin 161 which will engage an edge of one of the side Walls 152 of the pusher 150.

Mounted on the front or head end of the stapler casing is an inner front cover 165 nested within an outer front cover 166. The inner front cover 165 comprises a front vertical rwall 167 contacting the front edges 14 of the side plates 12. Wall 167 is co-extensive with the front ends of the side walls. Extending rearwardly from the front wall 167 are side walls 168 straddling and engaging the outer surfaces of the side plates 12. Each side wall 168 has a bottom edge 169 at the level of the bottom edges 13 and a top edge 170 at the level of the top edge 15. The front wall 167 is formed near the lower end thereof with parallel vertical slots 171 receiving the lugs 62e` of the side walls 62. Said front wall is furthermore formed with a central rectangular opening 172, forV the purpose hereinafter appearing. Said front wall is also formed with a pair of Yparallel spaced slots 173 located on opposite sides of central opening 172. The slots 173 may extend to the upper end of the front wall and abovethe upper end of the opening 172, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing.

The outer front cover 166 has a front wall 175 parallel to and spaced worwardly of the front wall 167. Extending rearwardly from the front wall 175 are side walls 176.4 The side walls 176 and 168 are similar and superposed. The side walls ,168 and 176 both have rear edges 177 extending upwardly from the lower edges thereof. Extending forwardly from the rear edges 177 are top edges 178 from which extend downwardly edges 179. Extending forwardly from the edges 179 are edges 180 located at the level of the undersides of the slots 41. The lower ends of the edges 179 are at the rear ends of the slot portions 42. Extending upwardly from the forward ends of the edges 180 are rearwardly curved edges 181. The lower ends of edges 181 are at the forward ends of the slot portions 42. Said edges 131 terminate at edges 17 below the curved edge portions 16, as illustrated in Fig. l of the drawing. Said side walls 168, 176 are formed with registering openings 182, 183, registering also with the openings 38. Extending through the openings 182, 183 is a rivet 184 (Fig. 9) to ix the front covers to side plates 12. The front wall 175 has its upper edge at the level of the upper edges of the side plates. The lower end of the front wall 175, however, is located above the lower end .of the front wall 167, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and of the drawing. iSaid front wall 175 is formed with a pair of vertical slots -1887aligned ,with the slots 173. Said front wall 175 is furthermore formed with a plurality of rearwardly pressed pimples 189, for the purpose hereinafter appearing. Y Y

Mounted on top of the vhead portion of the casing is a front top cover member 190. Cover member 190 has a top wall 191 resting on the top edges 15 of side plates 12. The front edge 192 of top wall 191 is located in the plane of the front edges 14. Extending from the top wall 191 is a curved wall 193 contacting the curved edges 16 of the side plates 12, and extending from the curved wall 193 is a downwardly and rearwardly inclined wall 194 contacting the rear edges 17 of the side plates. The low end of wall 194 is located substantially at the point 18 of the side plates.

Extending downwardly from the top wall 191 are parallel ears 195 contacting the outer surfaces of the side walls 176 of the outer front cover `166. The side walls 168, 176 are formed with registering openings 196, 197 coaxial with the opening 36 and side plates 12. The ears 195 are formed with openings 198 registering with openings 196, 197. Extending through the sleeve 50 (see Fig. l5) and through the registered openings 196, 197, 198 is a headed pin 200 which serves to fix the inner and outer front covers to the side plates and the top cover 190 to said front covers and side plate. Pin 200 may have an opening 200a receiving a cotter pin 200b.

Mounted on and between the side plates 12 is a bottom stop member 201 (Figs. 7 and 9). Said member 201 has wing portions 202 received within the slot portions 42 of the slots 41, and a central portion 203 received between the plates 12 and extending forwardly and rearwardly of the wings 202. The forwardly extending edge of portion 203 is formed with a central shallow recessed or notched portion 204 terminating short of the side edges of said portion 203. Mounted on the bottom step 203 is a plate 205 having wings 205a received in the portions 43 of the slots 41. Plate 205 may be made of rubber or rubber-like material. Mounted thereon is a plate 206 and likewise having wings 207 received in the slot portions 43 of the slots 41. It will be noted that the bottom stop plate 203 has a thickness equal to the height of the slot portions 42. The combined thickness of the plates 205 and 206 is equal to the height of slot portion 43.

Rotatably mounted on the sleeve 50 are a pair of spaced levers 210 provided with openings through which the sleeve passes. On said sleeve 50 and on opposite sides of each of levers 210 is a washer 211. The levers 210 each have a forwardly extending arm 212 and a downwardly and rearwardly extending arm 213. The forwardly extending arms 212 each have a round head 212a received within the slots 173 and 177 of the front walls 167, 175. 'Ihe rearwardly extending arm 213 of each lever 210 is inclined downwardly and is formed with a radial slot 214.

Rotatably mounted on the sleeve 55 is an arm 215 which may be laminated and comprises a plurality of thin plates 215a all similar to one another and superposed. Five such plates are shown in the drawing although any suitable number may be employed (see Figs. 8, 15, 16 and 17). Each plate 215a has a slot 217 overlapping the slots 214. The plates 215a are furthermore formed with U-shaped notches 18 so located that when the arm 215 is swung upwardly from the position of Fig. 7 to the position of Fig. 4, sleeve 50 will be received within said notches. The plates 215a are disposed between the levers 210 and when the arm 215 is swung upwardly, said arm will move between the inner washers 211, as shown in Fig. 15.

Passing through the overlapping openings 214, 217 is a pin 220 of round stock. On pin 220 are Washers 221 located at the outer sides of the outermost of the plates 215a, as shown in Fig. 17. Each of the plates 215a may be formed with an opening 223 for the purpose of rewith a rearwardly projecting pintle 22.7. Each plate 215a is furthermore formed with an under edge 230, adapted to Astrike the plate 206 when a staple has been driven, as illustrated in Fig.` 7, and as will be explained hereinafter. j

.Mounted on and between the side plates '12 is a vertical spring abutment plate 233 having wings 233a received in the slots 45. Plate 233 is formed with a central opening 234 and riveted to the said plate by a rivet 235, passing through said opening, is a pin 236. Interposed between the lugs 226'of the arm 215 and the plate 233 is a coiled compression spring 240 receiving the pintles 227 within one end thereof and the pin 236 in the other end thereof.

It will now be understood that the spring 240 tends to rotate the arm 215 in a clockwise direction, from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 4. Rotation of the arm 215 kwill cause rotation of the lever 210 in a counter-clockwise direction dueto interengagement of the pin 220 with said arm and levers. Rotation ofthe levers 210 in a counter-clockwise direction causes the heads 212a to move downwardly.

Each of the plates 215a is formed at its front ends with a forwardly projecting lug 240a having rounded upper and lower edges. Slidably mounted against the inner surface of the front wall 168 of the inner front cover is a staple driver 241 formed with side wings 241:1 at its upper end contacting the front edges 14a of the side plates. The driver 241 is received within the notch 204 of the bottom stop plate 203. Said driver is formed with an opening 244 receiving the lugs 240a. In the uppermost position of the driver as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing, the lower end of said driver is located above the forwardmost staple in the staple strip S in the magazine. As the levers move from the position of Fig. 4 to the position of Fig. 7, the driver descends to drive the staples. The driven staple moves downwardly between the front end of the staple guide and the front wall 168 of the inner front cover.

Slidably mounted between the walls 168 and 175 is a striker 250. Said striker is formed with a pair of slots 251 receiving the rounded heads 212a of the levers 210. The striker 250 may be provided with rearwardly projecting pintles or lugs 252 contacting the outer surface of the front wall 168. The pintles 189 contact the front surface of the striker. Thus the striker does not have full-face surface frictional contact with either of the walls 168 or 175. At its lower end striker 250 is formed with a portion 255 inclined forwardly and downwardly, and from which extends downwardly a portion 256 at the lower end of which is a rearwardly bent curved horizontal lip 257. Normally, the lower end of the striker projects below the undersurface of the bottom wall 61. The stapler may be held by gripping any part of the handle. When the stapler is swung downwardly, portion 257 of the striker will engage the article to be stapled. The striker will move upwardly beyond the upper ends of walls 168, 175. As the striker moves upwardly, levers 210 will be swung in a clockwise direction, causing arms 215 to be swung downwardly in a counter-clockwise direction to drive the driver 241 and drive a staple. Movement of the driver 241 is limited by the shoulders 14b and 14e. -Plates 203, 205, 206 serve as a limiting abutment and shock absorber for the arm 215. As the staple is driven, the spring 240 is compressed. After the stapling operation, as the stapler is lifted, the spring 240 will move the parts back to the position shown in Fig. 4.

It will be noted that the striker ,is a non-clogging oating striker so constructed that tar or dirt will not clog or seize the striker and therefore making it unnecessary to use lubrication. The stapler may be easily cleaned. The lower end of the striker being curved, the articles being stapled will not be marred or cut. The lever system comprises simple parts. These parts may be blanked from sheet metal. The operating levers are relatively small, compact and light in weight. All of the operating mechanism `is in the head, allowing an elongated handle which may be held at the front or rear as the operator desires. g n

A plastic cover member 260 may be fixed to the underside and sides of the casing. This cover member may be lmade of plastic or any `other suitable material. It has a bottom wall 261 and side walls 262. The bottom wall of cover member 260 may contact the underside of the casing, and the side walls 262 straddle and contact the outer sides of the plates 12. Said cover may be riveted as by rivets 263 to the casing. v

The krear end of the bottom wall 261 is formed with a round notch 264 adjacent the rounded front end v136a of the bottom wall 136 of the latch 135. Said bottom wall 261 is disposed below wall 136, thus protecting said wall from being accidently pressed kupwardly to release the latch. The push button 136, it will be noted, 'is on the latch mechanism instead of being on the frame.

'It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the various objects have been achieved.

Having thus described the invention in some detail, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a stapler, an elongated casing, a staple magazine in the bottom of the casing, a cover hinged at its front end to the top of the casing, said cover having means to retain a staple strip in the magazine, lwhen said cover is in closed position, a pusher slidably mounted on the staple magazine, a pusher rod Slidably engaging the pusher, a member xed to the rear end of the pusher rod and having means to hold the cover down in closed position on the casing, and a spring latch pivoted to said member, and means on the magazine releasably engaged by said latch to hold said member in cover holding position, in combination with means to prevent the pusher from being entirely removed from the casing when the latch is unlatched.

2. In a stapler, an elongated casing, a staple magazine in the bottom of the casing, a cover hinged at its front end to the top of the casing, said cover having means to retain a staple strip in the magazine when said cover is in closed position, a pusher slidably mounted on the staple magazine, a pusher rod Slidablyv engaging the pusher, a member iiXed to the rear end of the pusher rod and having means to h'old the cover down in closed position on the casing, and a latch pivoted to said member, and means on the magazine releasably engaged by said latch to hold said member in cover holding position, said latch having a push button at its lower end disposed below the casing, and a spring interposed between the butto-n and said member.

3. The combination of claim 2, and a member attached to the casing and having a portion disposed below said casing and being formed at its rear end with a portion having a notch disposed adjacent a portion of said button'and extending to a point below said button.

4. In a stapler, a casing, a staple magazine along the bottom of the casing, said staple magazine comprising a magazine frame having a bottom wall, side walls extending upwardly from the'bottom wall, and front and rear anges extending inwardly from the upper ends of the side walls, a staple guide within the magazine frame, said staple guide having side walls spaced inwardly from side walls of the magazine frame, the upper edges of the side walls of the Staple guide vbeing spaced below said anges whereby a staple strip may be supported on the staple guide with the crowns of the staples resting onl the upper edges of the side walls of the staple guide and with the legs of the staples disposed between the side walls of the staple guide and the side walls of the magazine frame, and a cover on the casing having means disposed between the front and rear anges adapted to hold the staple strip down on the staple guide.

5. The combination of claim 4, said cover being hinged at its front end to the casing and being swingable up- 11 wardly topermit loading a staple strip from the top into the magazine.

Y6. The combination of claim 5, in .combination with means to engage the rear end of the cover to holdthe vcover in closed position on the casing.

7. The combination of claim-6, said last means comprising a member slidably receiving the lrear end of the casing, a pusher rod fixed to said member, and a .pusher slidably mounted on the staple guideand having means -to slidably receive the pusher rod. l

8. The combination of claim 7 in combination with a latch pivoted to said member and having spring :pressed hook means to releasably engage sai-d staple guide.

9. In a stapler, a casing, a staple magazine within the casing, said staple magazine comprising a magazine frame having a bottom wall, side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall, and `tanges extending inwardly from Vthe ends of the upper edges of the side walls, a staple guide xed within said magazine frame for supporting a staple strip, a cover pivoted at its front end to the casing and having means located between and in the plane of said anges to `hold the staple strip down on the staple guide, said cover being swingable upwardly to permit loading a staple strip from the top into the magazine.

10. The combination -of claim 9, in combination with a member slidably receiving the rear end of `the top of the cover and the rear end of the under side ofthe magazine, a pusher rod fixed to said member, a pusher slidably mounted on the lstaple guide and having means to slidably receive the pusher rod, and spring means on the road to urge the pusher forwardly.

11. The combination of claim 10, in combination with means to releasably latch said member 4to said magazine.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 389,922 Delagneau Sept. 25, 1888 2,268,102 Attula Dec. 30, 1941 2,289,307 Drypolcher July 7, 1942 2,757,378 King Aug. 7, 1956 2,832,959 Pankonin May 6, 1958 

